This is my first story "God of Fog" for persona 4
Spoiler: show
“It’s over Adachi-san…” Yu said standing over the beaten detective with his sword shoved in his face.
The whole investigation team crowded around him, all glowering down at him. Adachi couldn’t bother to stare at all their faces, as his eyes were locked on the pulsating red and black sky of the TV world.
Everything was screaming in pain. Adachi may have had a brutal strong persona on his side, but there was no beating the numbers the kids had on theirs.
Damn it all… He thought to himself. If I was just a little stronger I could wipe that look off all of your smug faces right now…
“Come on, let’s get him out of here,“ Yosuke said.
Adachi felt a steaming rage rising up from his stomach.
No this can’t be how it ends… This world prefers those brats over me? No way… No way that’s possible! He could taste blood and bile at the back of his throat as the teenagers surrounded him further, planning to escort him out of the TV world.
If I just had a little more power, I could show them, what pathetic little losers they really are!
“Woah! Something big is coming right this way, guys! We need to get out of here now!” Rise warned.
The rest of the gang stopped short.
“What do you mean something big? What is it?” Chie asked.
“I can’t really tell, but it’s powerful and completely unstable…” Rise said.
Teddie began to hop up and down in terrified excitement, “My sniffer’s got a lock on a whole bunch of shadows, their all swarming together and coming towards us!”
“We need to grab Adachi and get out of here, now.” Yu commanded.
But before they could even move, the gang caught sight of the massive cloud of shadows hovering through the air.
“I’ve never seen so many of them come together like this…” Rise said frightened.
The shadows zipped through the air, making a beeline for where the investigation team and Adachi were.
“Get back!” Yu yelled as the shadows came crashing down through the air, landing right on top of the fallen detective smothering him in darkness.
The shadows curled into a massive sphere of black fog that hovered in the air, just above the investigation team. The teenagers were left at loss for what to do next.
“Stay on your guard guys! I don’t think this fight is over just yet…” Yu narrowed his eyes at the swarming shadow mass, feeling his stomach tighten in anticipation.
“Well, this is unexpected…” Adachi managed to mutter from within the darkness.
He could see absolutely nothing from the void of blackness that surrounded him now, though he could feel the shadows constantly shifting pass him. In fact they seemed to be sticking to his body
.
“Are these things going to finish me off? Have they come to devour me? Figures…”
The ball of shadows began to rise higher in the air, as it seemed to be expanding, from it’s dense little sphere.
The investigation team watched rise and grow, putting them even more on edge.
“Rise, what is that thing doing? Is Adachi controlling it?” Yukiko asked, eyes still fixed on the ball of darkness.
“Hell, is that prick even still alive inside of that thing?” Kanji added on.
“That thing is increasing in power at an exponential amount… and Adachi is right in the center of it. I don’t think he’s controlling it but, those shadows were definitely drawn to him. I think they might be feeding off of him in some way…”
Now with the darkness not so thick around him, as the ball of shadows expanded, Adachi could see through the black fog. He could see the investigation team staring up at him with slacked jawed expressions that only served to infuriate him more.
“Look at those little nobodies, still playing hero… they’re so annoying and pathetic.” He hissed.
More shadows began to cling on to Adachi’s form, covering whole sections of his body. But he didn’t care. He was fine to die to the shadows as opposed to those stupid kids. As the ball continued to rise higher and higher, the would be detectives looked smaller and smaller.
“They’re like bugs from here… no… even more insignificant than that…”
The shadows were growing more frantic as Adachi’s hate intensified.
“Something’s happening up there… I think the shadows are getting ready to attack!” Rise reported.
The ball had swollen to a tremendous size now, nearly blotting out their view of the sky.
“They’re little grains of rice all scattered about a forgotten plate…” He could feel the heat of his rage starting to over take him, or was it the shadows as the were covering his body.
He could hardly tell anymore. In fact he could hardly tell anything, his senses were become far too muddled for some reason. Even his vision was blurring with white hot hatred as stared down at the little pests.
The shadows were teeming around him eagerly, all bubbling up at Adachi’s renewed furry as it came pouring out of him.
The shadows started to cover his face and mouth. Adachi clenched his teeth as they began to exert an intense pressure on him.
“I don’t care what it takes… I’m going to destroy you brats!” The shadows were worked into a frenzy at that.
The ones covering his mouth managed to force their way down his throat as he spoke. His whole body was being flooded with pure darkness as the shadows started to let themselves be absorbed into his being. A terrible transformation was now taking place as Adachi and the shadows fused into one massively powerful being.
“Guys… we’re going to want to get far away from the immediate area of that thing…” Rise said grimly.
Yu could sense it too now, it was absolutely smoothing the amount of power was radiating from those shadows.
“Why, what’s happening?” Chie asked.
But she got her answer immediately, though not from Rise.
From the ball of shadows a massive hand came crashing to the ground. It was as grey as the mist with long pointed finger nails. The mysterious hand had only missed the investigation team short of a few feet, and it sent debris and fog scattering everywhere.
“Everybody, fall back now!” Yu commanded.
Though it was more of a formality, they tema didn’t have to be told anymore to get to a safe distance. As they all began running Yu looked back only for a moment, to see the hand lift back up as it extended from the shadow mass.
The ball was starting to take a human like form.
Yu turned away from the sight to focus on getting his team a safe ways away. A loud and familiar chuckle began to boom like thunder through the air.
“Now just where do you kids think you’re going?” Adachi asked in that faux friendly voice he spoke in before the team confronted him.
The investigation team all stopped dead in their tracks. They turned around and were met with a wall of fog that obstructed everything. Though through the dense mist they could make out Adachi’s shadow with glowing yellow eyes and a sickening smirk.
“Weren’t you all just rambling about ‘bringing me to justice’ and how you ‘weren’t going to leave this world without me’? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten cold feet now.” He chuckled taunting them.
“Enough of this hide and seek crap!” Yosuke yelled at the foggy figure in the distance. “Come out and face us you coward!”
“Yosuke…” Yu said in a strained tone. The last thing he wanted was to antagonize whatever Adachi was hiding in the fog.
“Aw, are you sure about that? Well since you asked so nicely…” A massive hand cleared away the fog, revealing a truly horrifying sight.
Adachi now wearing dark robes of black and red, was transfigured into a massive humanoid like being. His hair flowed like rivers of darkness, much longer than it had previously been. That same crooked smile was plastered across his, with sharp gnashing teeth filling it out this time. Three eyes glared down at the investigation team with a cruel excitement. Two burning yellow, and a third one affixed to the center of Adachi’s forehead, that looked like the lens of some massive camera.
“No way…” Chie said taking a step back from the sight.
The team had seen some truly unexpected things in their fight for the truth in the TV world, but this absolutely trumped everything they’d witnessed thus far.
Adachi couldn’t but let out another laugh as he looked down at the expression on all the kids, so clearly horrified.
“Aw, what happened to that determination you all had just a few minutes ago. You all were so self assured. Don’t tell me my little change has got you shaking in your boots now.”
Yu steadied himself as began to speak, “Adachi, look at what this world has done to you… Is this really what you want, all this destruction? Do you really want to be a monster?”
He gave a knowing glance to Rise, signaling her on what to do next. She nodded, aiming Himiko at the monstrous detective.
Adachi’s expression changed from amusement to burning hatred as all three eyes focused down on Yu. Even as he towered over them, that grey had brat had the nerve to lecture him.
“Did you forget everything I said before? I hate this shitty world, my form may have changed but that absolutely hasn’t. I was counting on the fog to change the world into something I could stand to live in. But, why would I want to give that world any sort of comfort. As soon as get done with you headaches, I’m going to destroy both these worlds and start over fresh. That’s my final and only kindness to the old world… putting it out of it’s misery!” he snarled.
It was very clear now whatever shred of humanity that was left in Adachi was totally blotted out by shadow and fog.
Adachi’s center eye drifted catching sight of Rise’s persona scanning him. “And for future reference brat… I’m not some thoughtless monster. I am a god.”
He reached out and ripped himiko away from Rise, knocking down the pop star. Without hesitation he crushed the persona in his massive grip, sending unimaginable waves of pain through Rise’s body as her persona was instantly defeated. Rise let out a scream of agony.
“Rise!” they all called to her. She was unconscious on the ground.
“Tohru Adachi is gone… I am Ameno- Sagiri no okami. Master of the fog.” He declared.
This had turned from a well fought victory, to a dark situation very quickly. Yu looked up at the creature Adachi had become an began weighing his options.
Before he could come up with a plan however, Ameno-Sagiri spoke again.
“Count yourself lucky kids, you’ll be the first to experience the fate your world will succumb to. Prepare to be devoured by the fog…” he said with that familiar crooked smirk back on his face. A pitch black tongue slid from in between his pointed teeth, as he licked his lips in anticipation.
“Don’t tell me, when he said, ‘devoured by the fog’ he really meant…” Chie started to say with a shiver. The implication was clear to everyone now.
“I don’t think we should stick around to find out.” Naoto said cutting her off pulling down the brim of her hat. She did not want to hear the words spoke into existence.
“Naoto’s right, we need to retreat for now.” Yukiko said.
Yu nodded solemnly. There was no fighting Adachi until they could properly recover from their first fight with him.
“Teddie, can you grab Rise? You need to be fast and as soon as you do we’ll all run back to the entrance of the TV world.” Yu instructed.
“You can count on me sensei!” Teddie said assuredly.
“What are you all waiting for? Aren’t you going to even try and stop me? Or have you finally realized how pointless your situation is?” Ameno-Sagiri taunted.
No matter what he called himself he was still the same shitty detective on the inside.
“Oh this is so interesting, for once you guys don’t have some big plan or move to make. I can see the wheels turning in your little heads right now, trying to come up with something. Here’s an idea, surrender! Maybe, I’ll play nice. Or you can put up a fight as usual , either way, I’m going to have fun.”
“For someone who hates people you sure do talk a lot Adachi-san.” Yu said trying to keep Adachi’s attention on him. He tightened his grip on his sword.
“There you go shooting off your mouth again…” Ameno-Sagiri growled. “I’ll tell you what, since you all are having a hard time deciding, how about I make the first move this time…”
His center was subtly tracking the movements of Teddie, while the other two remained locked on the rest of the investigation team before him.
Yu believed his plan to be working, as all of Adachi’s focus was on him and not on Teddie and Rise, though he had no intention of letting Adachi make the first strike.
“Izanagi!” Yu called summoning his persona, the creature appeared raising it’s spear to summon lightning from the the sky.
Ameno-Sagiri however was totally unphased. He struck down the persona like it was nothing more than an annoying fly. Yu stumbled backwards in pain as his persona crashed to the ground.
“Bro!” Yosuke rushed to Yu’s side with the others not far behind him. The teen was wabbling on his feet.
Yosuke offered his support. They all crowded around their leader worrying for his safety.
Ameno-Sangiri loved watching them fret. The monstrous god let out another chuckle.
“Oh I was hoping you brats would be cocky and dumb enough to put up a fight. Come on! Is that the best you can do?”
Chie let the anger burning in her gut rise out of mouth “You’re the only cocky one here! This isn’t over. Tomoe!”
She called forth her persona and sent it charging towards the god of fog.
Teddie successfully made it to Rise who was finally starting to wake back up.
“Ngh… Teddie?” Rise grumbled back to life. Her body was still in shock from the attack.
“Hey, hey it’s alright just take it easy. Teddie is here to rescue you.” The bear affirmed.
As Rise glanced around, remembering her settings. The sight of Ameno-Sagiri chilled her to the bone as he towered over them. She watched as Tomoe rocketed around the creature. The persona was darting fast. Ameno-Sagiri’s eyes locked on the gnat like warrior.
“Miserable pest…” he growled. He lifted a giant hand to try and swat it away, but the persona was far too agile in the air.
“Quick! Hop on my back. We gotta get away from this grizzly.” Teddie stooped down. Rise grabbed a fist full of fur pulling herself up on to Teddie’s back.
“Hang on tight! I’m really gonna move!” Teddie began bounding forward, back to the rest of the investigation team. But they would never make it.
Ameno-Sagiri was far more aware of everything than the teenagers gave him credit. His massive hand went rocketing down towards the two before they could reach the others.
“Teddie, Rise! Get out of the way!” Yu called desperately, straining his already spent body. It was precious energy wasted as the massive hand of Ameno-Sagiri grabbed them up in an instant.
“Oh no you don’t!” Chie made Tomoe zip down towards the creature’s clenched fist. The powerful persona struck a mighty blow at Ameno-Sagiri’s clawed fingers. This time the creature let out a growl of pain as Tomoe struck his nail bed.
The pupil of the third eye on his forehead began to constrict as it locked on to Tomoe, darting away and preparing another attack.
As the persona charged at the creature again with blinding speed, from that strange third eye a sudden shaft of light came shooting out.
“No!” Chie panicked. She forced Tomoe out of the way of the beam but it still wasn't fast enough. It grazed her persona, forcing it to crash-land.
“Ungf!” Chie winced with pain before falling to her knees, exhausted.
“Chie!” Yukiko ran to her friend’s side.
“Are you hurt badly?”
“I’ll be fine, just give me a minute.” She grumbled through her pain.
A loud chuckle rumbled through the air as the last of the investigation team huddled together, looking up at Ameno-Sagiri’s terrifying sharp tooth grin.
“Oh that was fun! You brats still have no idea how out of your depth you are! But, I’m going to show you. Watch!” His clawed hand opened to reveal Teddie and Rise huddled together in the center of his massive palm.
“You monster! Put us down!” Rise commanded.
The creature simply rolled all three of his eyes.
“You’re going to be the first to experience the fate your friends and soon the whole world will experience. I will swallow all of reality in shadow and fog, until I’m the only thing left. I won’t stop until I’ve consumed each and every piece of this shit world, and when I’ve finished I’ll create something new I can stand to be in. Who knows? Maybe if I get bored, I’ll bring you little shits back for some fun!”
“He’s totally lost it…” Yosuke said.
“It’s time. Let’s see how good you brats taste!” Ameno-Sagiri brought his hand to his mouth. Rise and Teddie watched in terror as he flashed another fanged grin at them before parting his teeth and opening his maw. All the two saw before them was pulsating darkness as that jet black tongue eagerly lashed about. The friends clutched each other tighter, as Ameno-Sagiri began tipping his hand forward.
The investigation team could only look up all their eyes glued on the horrifying sight of their friends about to be consumed.
“Guys… He’s distracted…” The words came slowly. Yu had been quiet throughout most of the ordeal, still recovering from his wounds. Everyone froze.
“Yu… what are trying to say?” Yukiko said.
“If we stay here, after he’s done, he’ll catch us. We’ll be done for. No one will be able to stop him after that. We need to regroup.”
“So, what? Just turn tail and run ? While he does that to our friends!?” Kanji exploded.
“Keep your voice down!” Naoto snapped quietly, “Yu’s right, staying here leaves us exposed and vulnerable. Besides…”
She pulled down the brim of hat over her eyes “...Nothing good will come of us watching him do this.”
Ameno-Sagiri in one smooth motion, jolted the two out of his hand, sending them flying directly into the black void of his mouth. Their screams echoed loudly as they went careening towards the darkness and cut off abruptly as they landed on the creature’s tongue and he closed his mouth.
“T-Teddie!” Rise started. They could see absolutely nothing inside of the maw of the creature.
“I’m right here Rise-chan!” she felt his paws squeeze her hands in a vain attempt at comfort.
“Please no matter what happens, don’t let go okay!” her voice was shaky. The air was heavy with heat and moisture. Something started to move from underneath them. That sticky black tongue pulled itself from under them and began to roll them around his mouth.
All three eyes shut with pleasure and contentment. Ameno-Sagiri didn’t expect to enjoy them, this much. He was so wrapped up in his own satisfaction, he didn’t even notice the rest of the investigation team getting as far away as possible. Quickly and quietly they made their way out of Magatsu Inaba. None of them dared to look back at the horrifying scene.
Rise and Teddie were soaked to the bone and completely coated in saliva. Ameno-Sagiri, in tasting them so thoroughly sent them sloshing from one side of his mouth to the other, his tongue constantly berating them from all sides. He had his fun and now it was time to finish.
Ameno-Sagiri tilted his head backwards, while his tongue started moving the two towards the abyss that was his throat.
“R-remember, don’t let go.” Rise said again as she felt herself slipping back.
“I won’t! I won’t!” Teddie reaffirmed. He was the closest to the edge of the throat. The bear went falling first with Rise right after.Ameno-Sagiri’s throat closed tightly around the both of them, pushing them deeper and deeper in the oppressive darkness that was this creature’s very being. The two reached the bottom, the creature’s gut constantly pulsating and moving around them.
“These are all...shadows.” Teddie could feel the masses squishing themselves against him and Rise. They were rising up to encase their whole bodies in living darkness.
Ameno-Sagiri rubbed a hand to his stomach, finally opening his eyes.The Investigation team was nowhere to be found.
“Guess I got carried away.” He sighed.
”Your ‘friends’ have left you behind. My guess is that they’re already back in the real world. Don’t worry though! You’ll all be together soon enough.”
Ameno-Sagiri squinted into the distance. All of the TV world was laid out before him. A thick mist began to roll in once again, curling around his form. The fog totally obstructed the massive creature from view, leaving only his glowing eyes to be seen.
The Investigation team, or what was left of them, sat at their usual table at the Junes food court. All of them silent. The cold air of December couldn’t chill them nearly as much like the realization of what must’ve become of their friends. They were far too shocked to even cry.
“My, you all look pathetic. And I mean more so than usual.” a familiar voice teased coldly.
Everyone snapped up in fear.
“No-no you can’t be…” Yu was shaking as he stared at the young Detective Adachi, in the flesh before them, with that same lazy grin on his face.
“You know, if I would have just escaped with my life from an attacker, I definitely wouldn’t go to the first place they’d think to look for me. But that’s just my professional opinion, heh.”
Adachi pulled out a chair from the table next to them and took a seat straddling it backwards. The fear on all of their faces was irresistible. After none of them tried to speak up again, he continued.
“Well that sure was some fun! Maybe not for you kids, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself that much. Not with Miss Yamano or that Saki girl, not even with watching you idiots run around like chickens with their heads cut off! But as great as this has all been, it’s time to get down to business, kids.”
“What!?” Chie finally blurted out in rage. “What else could you possibly want from us, you demented freak!?”
“Well actually, this is more about what you all want.” He said almost innocently.
“See, as it stands, I’m getting exactly what I wanted. In due time, I’ll be powerful enough to cross over into this world fully and like I said before, I’ll completely consume it till I’m all that’s left. But It’ll be a few more months before that happens. That gives all of us plenty of time to make our peace and say goodbye.
“But, that also gives you brats time to try and come up with someway to stop me, if you still think you can, which I’m sure you do.” he sighed tiredly.
“Those are your choices guys, either face the end peacefully or you can risk it another fight. Or option three I just thought of, you all can surrender right now and join your two friends! I’m sure they miss you already.” Adachi added with a smile.
“Wait, are you saying they’re still…” Naoto said with shock and horror.
“Yep! This body doesn’t work like a human’s would, so your friends are gonna be with me for a very long time. Why not keep them company? I mean it’s where the whole world is going anyways.” he shrugged.
Yu stood up from his seat and stared Adachi dead in his eyes , “No.”
“Hm?” Adachi feigned ignorance.
“No! We are going to stop you. No matter what it takes. We’re going to put an end to all of this. You won’t have your way.” Yu said firmly.
Adachi sighed and stretched, “Ugh, being difficult as per usual I see.”
He stood up from his chair and let a wide fanged smile break across his face, as his eyes glowed a burning yellow.
“Well, that’s just fine! It wouldn’t be nearly as fun, if you brats didn’t put up a fight! When you want to try again you all know where to find me!” Adachi laughed. He stalked away from the table, but then stopped short.
“And don’t worry, I’ll keep your friends safe and sound.” He chuckled and continued on his way.
Yu watched him go till he disappeared from view. He sat back down in his chair feeling a fire re-ignited within.
“How are we supposed to beat him, when he’s like that?” Yosuke asked.
“I don’t know.” Yu admitted “But we’ll find away. We have to.”
The whole investigation team crowded around him, all glowering down at him. Adachi couldn’t bother to stare at all their faces, as his eyes were locked on the pulsating red and black sky of the TV world.
Everything was screaming in pain. Adachi may have had a brutal strong persona on his side, but there was no beating the numbers the kids had on theirs.
Damn it all… He thought to himself. If I was just a little stronger I could wipe that look off all of your smug faces right now…
“Come on, let’s get him out of here,“ Yosuke said.
Adachi felt a steaming rage rising up from his stomach.
No this can’t be how it ends… This world prefers those brats over me? No way… No way that’s possible! He could taste blood and bile at the back of his throat as the teenagers surrounded him further, planning to escort him out of the TV world.
If I just had a little more power, I could show them, what pathetic little losers they really are!
“Woah! Something big is coming right this way, guys! We need to get out of here now!” Rise warned.
The rest of the gang stopped short.
“What do you mean something big? What is it?” Chie asked.
“I can’t really tell, but it’s powerful and completely unstable…” Rise said.
Teddie began to hop up and down in terrified excitement, “My sniffer’s got a lock on a whole bunch of shadows, their all swarming together and coming towards us!”
“We need to grab Adachi and get out of here, now.” Yu commanded.
But before they could even move, the gang caught sight of the massive cloud of shadows hovering through the air.
“I’ve never seen so many of them come together like this…” Rise said frightened.
The shadows zipped through the air, making a beeline for where the investigation team and Adachi were.
“Get back!” Yu yelled as the shadows came crashing down through the air, landing right on top of the fallen detective smothering him in darkness.
The shadows curled into a massive sphere of black fog that hovered in the air, just above the investigation team. The teenagers were left at loss for what to do next.
“Stay on your guard guys! I don’t think this fight is over just yet…” Yu narrowed his eyes at the swarming shadow mass, feeling his stomach tighten in anticipation.
“Well, this is unexpected…” Adachi managed to mutter from within the darkness.
He could see absolutely nothing from the void of blackness that surrounded him now, though he could feel the shadows constantly shifting pass him. In fact they seemed to be sticking to his body
.
“Are these things going to finish me off? Have they come to devour me? Figures…”
The ball of shadows began to rise higher in the air, as it seemed to be expanding, from it’s dense little sphere.
The investigation team watched rise and grow, putting them even more on edge.
“Rise, what is that thing doing? Is Adachi controlling it?” Yukiko asked, eyes still fixed on the ball of darkness.
“Hell, is that prick even still alive inside of that thing?” Kanji added on.
“That thing is increasing in power at an exponential amount… and Adachi is right in the center of it. I don’t think he’s controlling it but, those shadows were definitely drawn to him. I think they might be feeding off of him in some way…”
Now with the darkness not so thick around him, as the ball of shadows expanded, Adachi could see through the black fog. He could see the investigation team staring up at him with slacked jawed expressions that only served to infuriate him more.
“Look at those little nobodies, still playing hero… they’re so annoying and pathetic.” He hissed.
More shadows began to cling on to Adachi’s form, covering whole sections of his body. But he didn’t care. He was fine to die to the shadows as opposed to those stupid kids. As the ball continued to rise higher and higher, the would be detectives looked smaller and smaller.
“They’re like bugs from here… no… even more insignificant than that…”
The shadows were growing more frantic as Adachi’s hate intensified.
“Something’s happening up there… I think the shadows are getting ready to attack!” Rise reported.
The ball had swollen to a tremendous size now, nearly blotting out their view of the sky.
“They’re little grains of rice all scattered about a forgotten plate…” He could feel the heat of his rage starting to over take him, or was it the shadows as the were covering his body.
He could hardly tell anymore. In fact he could hardly tell anything, his senses were become far too muddled for some reason. Even his vision was blurring with white hot hatred as stared down at the little pests.
The shadows were teeming around him eagerly, all bubbling up at Adachi’s renewed furry as it came pouring out of him.
The shadows started to cover his face and mouth. Adachi clenched his teeth as they began to exert an intense pressure on him.
“I don’t care what it takes… I’m going to destroy you brats!” The shadows were worked into a frenzy at that.
The ones covering his mouth managed to force their way down his throat as he spoke. His whole body was being flooded with pure darkness as the shadows started to let themselves be absorbed into his being. A terrible transformation was now taking place as Adachi and the shadows fused into one massively powerful being.
“Guys… we’re going to want to get far away from the immediate area of that thing…” Rise said grimly.
Yu could sense it too now, it was absolutely smoothing the amount of power was radiating from those shadows.
“Why, what’s happening?” Chie asked.
But she got her answer immediately, though not from Rise.
From the ball of shadows a massive hand came crashing to the ground. It was as grey as the mist with long pointed finger nails. The mysterious hand had only missed the investigation team short of a few feet, and it sent debris and fog scattering everywhere.
“Everybody, fall back now!” Yu commanded.
Though it was more of a formality, they tema didn’t have to be told anymore to get to a safe distance. As they all began running Yu looked back only for a moment, to see the hand lift back up as it extended from the shadow mass.
The ball was starting to take a human like form.
Yu turned away from the sight to focus on getting his team a safe ways away. A loud and familiar chuckle began to boom like thunder through the air.
“Now just where do you kids think you’re going?” Adachi asked in that faux friendly voice he spoke in before the team confronted him.
The investigation team all stopped dead in their tracks. They turned around and were met with a wall of fog that obstructed everything. Though through the dense mist they could make out Adachi’s shadow with glowing yellow eyes and a sickening smirk.
“Weren’t you all just rambling about ‘bringing me to justice’ and how you ‘weren’t going to leave this world without me’? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten cold feet now.” He chuckled taunting them.
“Enough of this hide and seek crap!” Yosuke yelled at the foggy figure in the distance. “Come out and face us you coward!”
“Yosuke…” Yu said in a strained tone. The last thing he wanted was to antagonize whatever Adachi was hiding in the fog.
“Aw, are you sure about that? Well since you asked so nicely…” A massive hand cleared away the fog, revealing a truly horrifying sight.
Adachi now wearing dark robes of black and red, was transfigured into a massive humanoid like being. His hair flowed like rivers of darkness, much longer than it had previously been. That same crooked smile was plastered across his, with sharp gnashing teeth filling it out this time. Three eyes glared down at the investigation team with a cruel excitement. Two burning yellow, and a third one affixed to the center of Adachi’s forehead, that looked like the lens of some massive camera.
“No way…” Chie said taking a step back from the sight.
The team had seen some truly unexpected things in their fight for the truth in the TV world, but this absolutely trumped everything they’d witnessed thus far.
Adachi couldn’t but let out another laugh as he looked down at the expression on all the kids, so clearly horrified.
“Aw, what happened to that determination you all had just a few minutes ago. You all were so self assured. Don’t tell me my little change has got you shaking in your boots now.”
Yu steadied himself as began to speak, “Adachi, look at what this world has done to you… Is this really what you want, all this destruction? Do you really want to be a monster?”
He gave a knowing glance to Rise, signaling her on what to do next. She nodded, aiming Himiko at the monstrous detective.
Adachi’s expression changed from amusement to burning hatred as all three eyes focused down on Yu. Even as he towered over them, that grey had brat had the nerve to lecture him.
“Did you forget everything I said before? I hate this shitty world, my form may have changed but that absolutely hasn’t. I was counting on the fog to change the world into something I could stand to live in. But, why would I want to give that world any sort of comfort. As soon as get done with you headaches, I’m going to destroy both these worlds and start over fresh. That’s my final and only kindness to the old world… putting it out of it’s misery!” he snarled.
It was very clear now whatever shred of humanity that was left in Adachi was totally blotted out by shadow and fog.
Adachi’s center eye drifted catching sight of Rise’s persona scanning him. “And for future reference brat… I’m not some thoughtless monster. I am a god.”
He reached out and ripped himiko away from Rise, knocking down the pop star. Without hesitation he crushed the persona in his massive grip, sending unimaginable waves of pain through Rise’s body as her persona was instantly defeated. Rise let out a scream of agony.
“Rise!” they all called to her. She was unconscious on the ground.
“Tohru Adachi is gone… I am Ameno- Sagiri no okami. Master of the fog.” He declared.
This had turned from a well fought victory, to a dark situation very quickly. Yu looked up at the creature Adachi had become an began weighing his options.
Before he could come up with a plan however, Ameno-Sagiri spoke again.
“Count yourself lucky kids, you’ll be the first to experience the fate your world will succumb to. Prepare to be devoured by the fog…” he said with that familiar crooked smirk back on his face. A pitch black tongue slid from in between his pointed teeth, as he licked his lips in anticipation.
“Don’t tell me, when he said, ‘devoured by the fog’ he really meant…” Chie started to say with a shiver. The implication was clear to everyone now.
“I don’t think we should stick around to find out.” Naoto said cutting her off pulling down the brim of her hat. She did not want to hear the words spoke into existence.
“Naoto’s right, we need to retreat for now.” Yukiko said.
Yu nodded solemnly. There was no fighting Adachi until they could properly recover from their first fight with him.
“Teddie, can you grab Rise? You need to be fast and as soon as you do we’ll all run back to the entrance of the TV world.” Yu instructed.
“You can count on me sensei!” Teddie said assuredly.
“What are you all waiting for? Aren’t you going to even try and stop me? Or have you finally realized how pointless your situation is?” Ameno-Sagiri taunted.
No matter what he called himself he was still the same shitty detective on the inside.
“Oh this is so interesting, for once you guys don’t have some big plan or move to make. I can see the wheels turning in your little heads right now, trying to come up with something. Here’s an idea, surrender! Maybe, I’ll play nice. Or you can put up a fight as usual , either way, I’m going to have fun.”
“For someone who hates people you sure do talk a lot Adachi-san.” Yu said trying to keep Adachi’s attention on him. He tightened his grip on his sword.
“There you go shooting off your mouth again…” Ameno-Sagiri growled. “I’ll tell you what, since you all are having a hard time deciding, how about I make the first move this time…”
His center was subtly tracking the movements of Teddie, while the other two remained locked on the rest of the investigation team before him.
Yu believed his plan to be working, as all of Adachi’s focus was on him and not on Teddie and Rise, though he had no intention of letting Adachi make the first strike.
“Izanagi!” Yu called summoning his persona, the creature appeared raising it’s spear to summon lightning from the the sky.
Ameno-Sagiri however was totally unphased. He struck down the persona like it was nothing more than an annoying fly. Yu stumbled backwards in pain as his persona crashed to the ground.
“Bro!” Yosuke rushed to Yu’s side with the others not far behind him. The teen was wabbling on his feet.
Yosuke offered his support. They all crowded around their leader worrying for his safety.
Ameno-Sangiri loved watching them fret. The monstrous god let out another chuckle.
“Oh I was hoping you brats would be cocky and dumb enough to put up a fight. Come on! Is that the best you can do?”
Chie let the anger burning in her gut rise out of mouth “You’re the only cocky one here! This isn’t over. Tomoe!”
She called forth her persona and sent it charging towards the god of fog.
Teddie successfully made it to Rise who was finally starting to wake back up.
“Ngh… Teddie?” Rise grumbled back to life. Her body was still in shock from the attack.
“Hey, hey it’s alright just take it easy. Teddie is here to rescue you.” The bear affirmed.
As Rise glanced around, remembering her settings. The sight of Ameno-Sagiri chilled her to the bone as he towered over them. She watched as Tomoe rocketed around the creature. The persona was darting fast. Ameno-Sagiri’s eyes locked on the gnat like warrior.
“Miserable pest…” he growled. He lifted a giant hand to try and swat it away, but the persona was far too agile in the air.
“Quick! Hop on my back. We gotta get away from this grizzly.” Teddie stooped down. Rise grabbed a fist full of fur pulling herself up on to Teddie’s back.
“Hang on tight! I’m really gonna move!” Teddie began bounding forward, back to the rest of the investigation team. But they would never make it.
Ameno-Sagiri was far more aware of everything than the teenagers gave him credit. His massive hand went rocketing down towards the two before they could reach the others.
“Teddie, Rise! Get out of the way!” Yu called desperately, straining his already spent body. It was precious energy wasted as the massive hand of Ameno-Sagiri grabbed them up in an instant.
“Oh no you don’t!” Chie made Tomoe zip down towards the creature’s clenched fist. The powerful persona struck a mighty blow at Ameno-Sagiri’s clawed fingers. This time the creature let out a growl of pain as Tomoe struck his nail bed.
The pupil of the third eye on his forehead began to constrict as it locked on to Tomoe, darting away and preparing another attack.
As the persona charged at the creature again with blinding speed, from that strange third eye a sudden shaft of light came shooting out.
“No!” Chie panicked. She forced Tomoe out of the way of the beam but it still wasn't fast enough. It grazed her persona, forcing it to crash-land.
“Ungf!” Chie winced with pain before falling to her knees, exhausted.
“Chie!” Yukiko ran to her friend’s side.
“Are you hurt badly?”
“I’ll be fine, just give me a minute.” She grumbled through her pain.
A loud chuckle rumbled through the air as the last of the investigation team huddled together, looking up at Ameno-Sagiri’s terrifying sharp tooth grin.
“Oh that was fun! You brats still have no idea how out of your depth you are! But, I’m going to show you. Watch!” His clawed hand opened to reveal Teddie and Rise huddled together in the center of his massive palm.
“You monster! Put us down!” Rise commanded.
The creature simply rolled all three of his eyes.
“You’re going to be the first to experience the fate your friends and soon the whole world will experience. I will swallow all of reality in shadow and fog, until I’m the only thing left. I won’t stop until I’ve consumed each and every piece of this shit world, and when I’ve finished I’ll create something new I can stand to be in. Who knows? Maybe if I get bored, I’ll bring you little shits back for some fun!”
“He’s totally lost it…” Yosuke said.
“It’s time. Let’s see how good you brats taste!” Ameno-Sagiri brought his hand to his mouth. Rise and Teddie watched in terror as he flashed another fanged grin at them before parting his teeth and opening his maw. All the two saw before them was pulsating darkness as that jet black tongue eagerly lashed about. The friends clutched each other tighter, as Ameno-Sagiri began tipping his hand forward.
The investigation team could only look up all their eyes glued on the horrifying sight of their friends about to be consumed.
“Guys… He’s distracted…” The words came slowly. Yu had been quiet throughout most of the ordeal, still recovering from his wounds. Everyone froze.
“Yu… what are trying to say?” Yukiko said.
“If we stay here, after he’s done, he’ll catch us. We’ll be done for. No one will be able to stop him after that. We need to regroup.”
“So, what? Just turn tail and run ? While he does that to our friends!?” Kanji exploded.
“Keep your voice down!” Naoto snapped quietly, “Yu’s right, staying here leaves us exposed and vulnerable. Besides…”
She pulled down the brim of hat over her eyes “...Nothing good will come of us watching him do this.”
Ameno-Sagiri in one smooth motion, jolted the two out of his hand, sending them flying directly into the black void of his mouth. Their screams echoed loudly as they went careening towards the darkness and cut off abruptly as they landed on the creature’s tongue and he closed his mouth.
“T-Teddie!” Rise started. They could see absolutely nothing inside of the maw of the creature.
“I’m right here Rise-chan!” she felt his paws squeeze her hands in a vain attempt at comfort.
“Please no matter what happens, don’t let go okay!” her voice was shaky. The air was heavy with heat and moisture. Something started to move from underneath them. That sticky black tongue pulled itself from under them and began to roll them around his mouth.
All three eyes shut with pleasure and contentment. Ameno-Sagiri didn’t expect to enjoy them, this much. He was so wrapped up in his own satisfaction, he didn’t even notice the rest of the investigation team getting as far away as possible. Quickly and quietly they made their way out of Magatsu Inaba. None of them dared to look back at the horrifying scene.
Rise and Teddie were soaked to the bone and completely coated in saliva. Ameno-Sagiri, in tasting them so thoroughly sent them sloshing from one side of his mouth to the other, his tongue constantly berating them from all sides. He had his fun and now it was time to finish.
Ameno-Sagiri tilted his head backwards, while his tongue started moving the two towards the abyss that was his throat.
“R-remember, don’t let go.” Rise said again as she felt herself slipping back.
“I won’t! I won’t!” Teddie reaffirmed. He was the closest to the edge of the throat. The bear went falling first with Rise right after.Ameno-Sagiri’s throat closed tightly around the both of them, pushing them deeper and deeper in the oppressive darkness that was this creature’s very being. The two reached the bottom, the creature’s gut constantly pulsating and moving around them.
“These are all...shadows.” Teddie could feel the masses squishing themselves against him and Rise. They were rising up to encase their whole bodies in living darkness.
Ameno-Sagiri rubbed a hand to his stomach, finally opening his eyes.The Investigation team was nowhere to be found.
“Guess I got carried away.” He sighed.
”Your ‘friends’ have left you behind. My guess is that they’re already back in the real world. Don’t worry though! You’ll all be together soon enough.”
Ameno-Sagiri squinted into the distance. All of the TV world was laid out before him. A thick mist began to roll in once again, curling around his form. The fog totally obstructed the massive creature from view, leaving only his glowing eyes to be seen.
The Investigation team, or what was left of them, sat at their usual table at the Junes food court. All of them silent. The cold air of December couldn’t chill them nearly as much like the realization of what must’ve become of their friends. They were far too shocked to even cry.
“My, you all look pathetic. And I mean more so than usual.” a familiar voice teased coldly.
Everyone snapped up in fear.
“No-no you can’t be…” Yu was shaking as he stared at the young Detective Adachi, in the flesh before them, with that same lazy grin on his face.
“You know, if I would have just escaped with my life from an attacker, I definitely wouldn’t go to the first place they’d think to look for me. But that’s just my professional opinion, heh.”
Adachi pulled out a chair from the table next to them and took a seat straddling it backwards. The fear on all of their faces was irresistible. After none of them tried to speak up again, he continued.
“Well that sure was some fun! Maybe not for you kids, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself that much. Not with Miss Yamano or that Saki girl, not even with watching you idiots run around like chickens with their heads cut off! But as great as this has all been, it’s time to get down to business, kids.”
“What!?” Chie finally blurted out in rage. “What else could you possibly want from us, you demented freak!?”
“Well actually, this is more about what you all want.” He said almost innocently.
“See, as it stands, I’m getting exactly what I wanted. In due time, I’ll be powerful enough to cross over into this world fully and like I said before, I’ll completely consume it till I’m all that’s left. But It’ll be a few more months before that happens. That gives all of us plenty of time to make our peace and say goodbye.
“But, that also gives you brats time to try and come up with someway to stop me, if you still think you can, which I’m sure you do.” he sighed tiredly.
“Those are your choices guys, either face the end peacefully or you can risk it another fight. Or option three I just thought of, you all can surrender right now and join your two friends! I’m sure they miss you already.” Adachi added with a smile.
“Wait, are you saying they’re still…” Naoto said with shock and horror.
“Yep! This body doesn’t work like a human’s would, so your friends are gonna be with me for a very long time. Why not keep them company? I mean it’s where the whole world is going anyways.” he shrugged.
Yu stood up from his seat and stared Adachi dead in his eyes , “No.”
“Hm?” Adachi feigned ignorance.
“No! We are going to stop you. No matter what it takes. We’re going to put an end to all of this. You won’t have your way.” Yu said firmly.
Adachi sighed and stretched, “Ugh, being difficult as per usual I see.”
He stood up from his chair and let a wide fanged smile break across his face, as his eyes glowed a burning yellow.
“Well, that’s just fine! It wouldn’t be nearly as fun, if you brats didn’t put up a fight! When you want to try again you all know where to find me!” Adachi laughed. He stalked away from the table, but then stopped short.
“And don’t worry, I’ll keep your friends safe and sound.” He chuckled and continued on his way.
Yu watched him go till he disappeared from view. He sat back down in his chair feeling a fire re-ignited within.
“How are we supposed to beat him, when he’s like that?” Yosuke asked.
“I don’t know.” Yu admitted “But we’ll find away. We have to.”
